Collapsible kitchen utensil holder

Abstract

A utensil holder which includes three separate annular sections of different diameters, can be assembled in interlocking superposed relationship as a one-tier holder, a two-tier holder or a three-tier holder. For shipping purposes, all three sections nest one within the other to provide an assembly which is the size of the largest section.

I claim: 
     
       1. A multi-sectional utensil holder interchangeable between a stored position and an operative position, comprising: a base section having concentric, annular, radially spaced inner and outer walls of predetermined diameters, with circumferentially spaced, radially extending partitions therebetween to provide a plurality of storage compartments, said walls having top and bottom edges, the top edges of the inner and outer walls being generally in a co-planer relationship;   an intermediate section having concentric, annular, radially spaced outer and inner walls of predetermined diameters, with circumferentially spaced, radially extending partitions therebetween to provide a plurality of storage compartments, said walls having upper and lower edges, the upper edges of the inner and outer walls being generally in a co-planer relationship;   the vertical dimension of the outer wall of the intermediate section being less than the vertical dimension of the inner wall of the base section, and the diameter of the outer wall of the intermediate section being less than the diameter of the inner wall of the base section, whereby the intermediate section in the inverted position is nested within the confines of the inner wall of the base section for shipping purposes; and   interengageable, releasable coupling means adjacent the lower edge of the outer wall of the intermediate section and adjacent the top edge of the inner wall of the base section, whereby the intermediate section is positioned on and releasably coupled with the base section to provide a two-tier utensil holder.   
     
     
       2. A multi-sectional utensil holder as described in claim 1, in which the coupling means includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending projections adjacent the lower edge of the outer wall of the intermediate section, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced related recesses adjacent the top edge of the inner wall of the base section for receiving the projections. 
     
     
       3. A multi-sectional utensil holder as described in claim 2, in which the projections are generally of the same shape and size as the related recesses. 
     
     
       4. A multi-sectional utensil holder as described in claim 2, in which the coupling means on the base section includes slots adjacent to and in communication with the recesses for receiving the projections of the intermediate section when the intermediate section is positioned on top of the base section with the projections in the recesses and partially rotated relative thereto. 
     
     
       5. A multi-sectional utensil holder as described in claim 4, in which the coupling means includes stop means for limiting the partial rotation of the intermediate section relative to the base section. 
     
     
       6. A multi-sectional utensil holder as described in claim 4, in which the slots of the base section contain detent means for releasably maintaining the intermediate section in the partially rotated coupled position. 
     
     
       7. A multi-sectional utensil holder as described in claim 1, which further includes: a top section which is cup-like in configuration with an end wall, a side wall which has a lower edge, and an annular open end of a predetermined diameter; and   interengageable, releasable coupling means adjacent the lower edge of the side wall of the top section and adjacent the upper edge of the inner wall of the intermediate section, whereby the top section is positioned on and releasably coupled with the intermediate member to provide a three-tier utensil holder.   
     
     
       8. A multi-section utensil holder as described in claim 7, in which the coupling means includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending projections adjacent the lower edge of the side wall of the top section, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced related recesses adjacent the upper edge of the inner wall of the intermediate section for receiving said projections. 
     
     
       9. A multi-sectional utensil holder as described in claim 8, in which the diameter of the open end of the top section is less than the diameter of the inner wall of the intermediate section, whereby when the top section is inverted and positioned in the opening formed by the inner wall of the intermediate section, the projections adjacent the lower edge of the side wall of the top section are received in the recesses which are adjacent the upper edge of the inner wall of the intermediate section. 
     
     
       10. A multi-sectional utensil holder as described in claim 8, in which the coupling means on the intermediate section includes slots adjacent to and in communication with the recesses for receiving the projections of the top section when the top section is positioned on top of the intermediate section with the projections in the recesses and partially rotated relative thereto.